Paul Hewitt confirms he’s out as Georgia Tech coach
Paul Hewitt's Jackets struggled to a 13-18 record this year (5-11 in the ACC). (AP photo)
(UPDATED at noon with Tech announcement.)
Paul Hewitt is out as Georgia Tech’s basketball coach.
Hewitt confirmed this morning that he has been fired, telling our Doug Roberson: “I’m no longer the coach at Georgia Tech. … I feel very fortunate to have 11 years at Georgia Tech. They’ve been more than fair to me and my family. I wish them all the best. I think Tech is in good hands.”
Hewitt met this morning with athletic director Dan Radakovich, who returned from the ACC tournament Friday night following conference meetings. Multiple reports leaked out this morning that Radakovich fired him at that time, but school officials would neither confirm nor deny the reports.
Tech has finally confirmed the announcement, posting a news release on its website. A press conference has been called for 2 p.m. An excerpt of the news release:
ATLANTA – Head men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt has been relieved of his duties after 11 seasons at Georgia Tech.
The announcement came today from Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich, who said that a national search for Hewitt’s replacement would begin immediately.
Hewitt’s team concluded the 2010-11 season Thursday night with a 59-43 loss to Virginia Tech in the opening round of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The Yellow Jackets finished 13-18 overall, 5-11 in the ACC.
“I am very appreciative of Paul Hewitt’s dedication to Georgia Tech for the last 11 years,” Radakovich said. “Paul is an outstanding person who has made a positive impact on so many of our student-athletes.”
Hewitt’s firing had been expected since the Tech lost its ACC tournament opener to Virginia Tech Thursday night and finished the season at 13-18. The Jackets have been expected to move quickly with the decision rather than let the announcement linger past the weekend.
Hewitt is due a $7.2 million balance on the five years remaining on his rollover contract, unless the two sides negotiate a lower buyout. Hewitt needed to be informed by next Wednesday that the rollover contract was being terminated, otherwise it would automatically renew and a sixth year would be added.
We’ll have more as this develops.
By Jeff Schultz
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102 comments Add your comment
BUZZ 2011
March 12th, 2011
11:51 am
Thanks for 2004 run to the final NCAA and 2010 final ACC tournament (Duke had their hands full), but
it is past time for a change. Good luck Coach Hewitt..
HelluvaEngineer
March 12th, 2011
11:51 am
Good post, SadJacket. While I am ecstatic about the decision, it could be years until Tech is “back”. Hewitt is a good man, and really embraced being a part of the Ramlin’ Wreck family. His failure is not for lack of effort.
I hope these murmurs about DRad targeting Stallings has some substance behind it (though if true, I doubt he would leave). Fortunately DRad has a good track record hiring coaches, and I have full confidence he will get someone who fits our program well.
I just hope he does not go after someone based on the sole criteria of having a successful playing career here.
SanDiegoJacket
March 12th, 2011
11:52 am
Mike Anderson, Mizzou would be a great choice.
Too much $ involved
March 12th, 2011
11:52 am
Hewitt is a good man, and I wish him well. As has been seen too often, a large guaranteed paycheck makes motivation difficult. Not that he didn’t want to win, it is just better if there is more incentive to progress.
Lethal Weapon 3 and Cremins too
March 12th, 2011
11:54 am
YOU WANT TO RECOVER THAT 7 MILLION IN NO TIME, BRING CREMINS BACK COUPLED WITH MARK PRICE AND KENNY ANDERSON OR SOME OF THE OTHER GREAT PLAYERS, LOOK OUT COACH K IT AIN’T OVER TIL IT’S OVER
AND IF ANYONE THINKS CREMINS IS TOO OLD, WELL WHAT AGE DO YOU THINK COACH K IS?
Americus Jacket
March 12th, 2011
11:54 am
I liked Sad Jackets post also until the last few lines. Amaker? I think I would be sick!
PureEvil
March 12th, 2011
11:55 am
it could be years until Tech is “back”.
They have a solid roster right now. If the 2011 class stays commited I think you will be surprised how well we are next year. I would expect a NCAA apperance!!
SOUTH GA DAWF FAN
March 12th, 2011
11:57 am
Maybe Tech will take the time to get a good I like Tech basketball , I know that is a rarity for a dog fan but heck i like all good basketball
GT Trumpet
March 12th, 2011
11:58 am
wooo!!!
BuckheadBill
March 12th, 2011
11:59 am
I just hope that the next coach hires Coach Hewitts’ agent. You know, the GA grad.
TommyJack
March 12th, 2011
12:02 pm
Did he have Phil Fulmer’s agent?
Techmate
March 12th, 2011
12:03 pm
A good man who ran a clean program. I do wish he and his family well. But I do think he had lost the support of Tech fans. So it’s a business decision – it happens every day. Our AD will find a good replacement. But it is a job that has it’s challenges. It’s important to be able to recruit those big bodies down low and we have not been able to do that with consistency over the years. Those guys are not easy athletes for Tech to find.
Sad Jacket
March 12th, 2011
12:03 pm
Americus – Didnt say Amaker was the right choice or even a good option but his name is likely to come up in discussions as he has taken a program with very high academic standards and turned it into a winner. There are a number of reasons (e.g. Duke connection, lack of motivation from his Michigan teams) I dont think he gets the nod, but he is certainly worthy of a mention and may well be tied to a number of jobs in the coming year.
GT Alum
March 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
The Paul Hewitt era is over at Tech. Hopefully, both parties can move forward and find the level of success separately that has, for the most part, eluded them over the past 11 years.
GTBob
March 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
I wish Paul Hewitt the best where ever he goes after this. He is a class act and represented the university well. Things just were not working out for him at GT and both sides needed to go other directions. This announcement has me really excited for next season.
wxwax
March 12th, 2011
12:05 pm
I’m glad that so far the commenters who have knowledge of the situation are finding good in Hewitt.
Just because he was a poor basketball coach doesn’t mean he was a bad person. It’s nice to see that reflected in the comments, so far.
swatguy
March 12th, 2011
12:07 pm
He did well. The NBA has ruined the college game.
Why would he nottake the 7 mil. ? He had a contract. School has to honor it.
Sad Jacket
March 12th, 2011
12:08 pm
I was just reminded that one of the first names associated with the possibility of the job coming open was Tubby Smith. Nobody that I know really has a bead on whether that is even a possibility, something either side might consider. The winters are a heck of a lot nicer in Atlanta than Minneapolis. . .I’ll leave that analysis to someone with better sources than I. . .Mr. Schultz. . your thougths on Tubby and others. . .we’d love to hear them.
Captain
March 12th, 2011
12:09 pm
Given the dire financial condition of the GT athletic dept, the now added burden of paying the Hewitt contract on top of the Chan Gailey payout, is there enough money to hire a name coach? Probably not. Before you GT supporters start dreaming you may want to comes to grip with reality ……you don’t have the financial strength to hire a “big” name. Why would Kevin Stallings consider leaving an established program where is well paid in a strong conference to come to a lower tier ACC program? You GT fans see yourselves as much more of an important program than is factually accurate.
Gillespie was fired at UK after numerous DUI’s, aggressive actions towards females, to the point of being banned from several establishments. Mark Few has had opportunities to leave but is happy. This may be a tough hire however you tend to think something has been in the works for a few weeks. Maybe Dennis Felton is the man, he’s available, can win at Alexander, is willing to work cheap. May not be a bad idea to try Monster.com and Craig’s list, worked for Clemson.
jesse
March 12th, 2011
12:10 pm
GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS YOU COACH 1 COACH
Americus Jacket
March 12th, 2011
12:10 pm
@Sad Jacket: I know you didn’t recommend him, and I enjoyed your comments. It was just the mention of him that made me sick!
I have to admit: Hiring someone who I grew up hating (ok, disliking) from a rival school would be tough for me to accept. I’m not proud of it, but I still feel this way.
Keep up the good posts! I also liked your next one about Hewitt’s contract, but they may be because we are in agreement!
Jacket Fan
March 12th, 2011
12:16 pm
I realize this is the bigger story, but you might want to cover Mark Pope and the baseball team some. Mr. Pope just pitched his second straight complete game shut-out, 1-0 over Maryland.
GTBob
March 12th, 2011
12:17 pm
@Captain, Chan Gailey’s contract comes off the books this year and our new ESPN contract which doubles our TV revenue starts this year as well. Combine that with the fact that attendance has been in a nose dive costing us millions and the financial argument becomes pretty weak.
reebok
March 12th, 2011
12:18 pm
seems like a nice man, i wish him well personally, THANK GOD HE IS GONE!!!!!!
reebok
March 12th, 2011
12:20 pm
13 and 18 this year…how’d we ever win 13????
Of course it's the contract
March 12th, 2011
12:25 pm
A win/win situation. Hew get many $$$ and Tech gets going again. Love it when a plan comes together.
supersize that order, mutt
March 12th, 2011
12:28 pm
I doubt that much of the buyout, and that would include Gailey’s buyout too, comes out of the Athletic budget. Big-money donors who love Tech and can afford it are contributing to both those MUCH NEEDED firings.
Tech Tony
March 12th, 2011
12:30 pm
From what I understand, Tubby Smith has already committed to remaining in Minnesota. And if that’s true, I saw “WHEW” because as on top of his game as he once was, he’s rapidly wearing out his welcome in Minneapolis.
The last time Tech went into the Southern Conference for a coach, things worked out pretty well. It might be a good idea to talk to Wofford’s Mike Young.
Hewitt Fan
March 12th, 2011
12:34 pm
Well this was a win win situation..GT wanted Hewitt out and Hewitt gets 7mil and he can finally get out of the Coach K conference..He has battled the refs for years and years..the ACC will not allow any one to jump past NC and Duke..I think the ACC seen that Hewitt was bringing in nothing but studs and was about to take over but the refs said no way…Just suprised that the GT fan base never complained about the refs or never supported Hewittt..Gt was never an ACC power, GT has always played for 3rd..Hell, they have only 1 out right title in history..Now i can just sit back and watch coach after coach turn down what maybe the worst job in the ACC due to a stupid fan base that lets Mark Bradley make decisions for them! Go Jackets
supersize that order, mutt
March 12th, 2011
12:43 pm
Hewitt Fan, we constantly complain about the ACC refs, but that still doesn’t explain Hewitt’s inability to have an offensive plan, consistent free-throw shooters, decent inbound passes, and meaningless time-outs. Tech has one (if you are correct) ACC regular season championship, but THREE ACC tournament championships, and NONE of them were under Hewitt.
Paul Hewitt was undone at Georgia Tech by more than losing | Jeff Schultz
March 12th, 2011
12:45 pm
[...] Hewitt was fired as Georgia Tech’s basketball coach Saturday. Some of this is about bottom-line results: Hewitt had five winning records and four NCAA tournament berths in his first seven seasons; only one winning record and tournament in the next four. Even the greatest coaches can go through down periods and survive, but that requires creating a positive atmosphere and giving off signals that a turnaround was imminent. [...]
Buckeye
March 12th, 2011
12:49 pm
Hire Jan Aazar, Wesleyan Girls Coach. Just won her 8th State title in 14 years. Congrats, Coach Azar.
Hewitt Fan
March 12th, 2011
12:56 pm
@supersize that order, mutt
I can only remember 1 year GT had problems inbounding the ball..Which was last year.. we started 3 fr1soph..please quit lying…Answer this.. how in the hell does a coach make a kid shoot free throws better?..If a kid does not work on free throws, that’s his personal choice.COACHES do not win games either you have players or you don’t! that’s why the top players only want to play 1 year if that in college.remember it has not always been like that….He called timeouts to get his defense set up.Whats wrong with that?..I feel like none of the GT fans on here know anything about basketball..And yeah GT has only 1 out right title in the ACC..thats sad! and being honest Cremins had a lot of talent come through GT his first 12 years and still only won 1 title he tied for one more…Regardless of who GT hires, GT will be playing for 3rd..The refs control the ACC..look at the recent hires in the ACC..no big name coach wants to be bothered with this crappy conference..@ more coaches will be fired soon also…
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
12:57 pm
Hewitt Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hewitt Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where YOU?
Please tell me YOU have enough Pull to make sure Tech NEVER I mean NEVER gets another Non-Graduating Atl Celtics player. I am sure you can make this happen right?
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
1:02 pm
@kbp
Hewitt is not a Great recruiter. He was sold a bag of goods from the AAU Atl Celtics and thought he could win with kids that were only looking for a fast way out of the Ghetto and to the NBA.
Hewitt Fan
March 12th, 2011
1:05 pm
@5150 UOAD lol are you jealous of kids who go on to make millions in the NBA? How are you financially? Seems like you are jealous of guys with money!
supersize that order, mutt
March 12th, 2011
1:10 pm
Hewitt, Fan, did you not watch any of the games this year? The inbound passes were not as bad as last year, but they were still BAD. As far as free-throw shooting, you hire somebody to teach them how to shoot them. Mark Price volunteered for free, and Hewitt turned him down. And again, what about those THREE ACC tournament championships? Hewitt never had one of those.
Pete
March 12th, 2011
2:06 pm
I’d like to see Gregg Marshall get this job.
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
2:24 pm
Yes, HEWITT FAN I am jealous. I OWN my Home and Farm. I run a small business. I as Jealous of the RICH nba players that make millions, smoke dope, and have more Baby Mamas than they can count. Are you jealous you never made millions playing a game? Is that why you are such a child athlete lover?
Jackets 2011
March 12th, 2011
2:48 pm
Calm down folks.
Hewitt took the firing with more class than both sides of the debate are showing at the moment.
Hewitt Fan
March 12th, 2011
2:50 pm
@5150 UOAD lol dude you are funny…Instead of bashing Hewitt everyday, how about thanking you dad for leaving you your “FARM and HOUSE”..I live in North Fulton and my house is paid for..guess what, no one gave me nothing..
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
3:13 pm
Hewitt Fan
I am so sorry my family has owned this property since the 1880’s. I am sorry My granddad helped run the city of Atlanta during the POWER days of Ivan Allen and Charlie Brown. I am sorry for the gifts my family fought for and earned. I will go Flog myself now for all the blessing I was afforded by my families hard work.
I hope you can pass some of your blessings to your children. I am sure SOMEBODY gave you SOMETHING. I bet right now if you said that to your mom she would SLAP you so hard you wouldn’t be able to taste a hot pepper for a week. I bet your mom gave you a since of worth, a set of morals, and character. Now that may not be Land or Money, but those things allowed you to go forward and Face the challenges of life and succeed.
I will not get into the DEATH TAX that makes doing the same for the next generation almost impossible for the middle to average person.
Now GO KISS PAUL and love him for just a few more weeks before he heads to the Islands.
UNC is doing it again. Didn’t LEAD yesterday until the Last winning shot. Now today they get to overtime and are Lighting it up from 3pt land.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 12th, 2011
3:18 pm
Clemson HAD it and totally blew it at the end
Litigation
March 12th, 2011
4:23 pm
in his lawsuit against Tech for more buyout cash, will hewitt’s camp play the race card?
Bill S.
March 12th, 2011
4:38 pm
Class act. I really like him, but it was time for a change. I wish the best.for him and his family.
Jackets Forever!!
March 12th, 2011
5:05 pm
Hewitt was a nice man and yes he ran a clean program but too many one and dones. I wish him great success in the future. Unfortunately he should have been fired 3 years ago. I pray we get a great new coach who will lead us back to the Cremins Glory Days. We gave up our tickets several years ago.
Jackets Forever!!
March 12th, 2011
5:07 pm
Yawn look like Duke and UNC in the final yet again!!
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
9:20 pm
In Hewitt’s 11 years of all the kids he recruited, how many kids played significant minutes and graduated? Maybe 30. Hewitt was paid almost a Million Dollars per Graduate.
spandpp
March 12th, 2011
11:20 pm
Paul Hewitt is a class act coach! He recruited great players who left before the team could develop. Now there is talk about energizing the fan base…isn’t that what the cheerleaders and pep band are for??? I have read little if any mention of recruiting talented players which is a coach’s job that Paul did exceptionally well. Unfortunately, he has no control when a player decides to leave for the NBA or when a player becomes injured during the season. Paul, we wish you the best of luck and know there is a much better opportunity out there. We know you will be at the Big Dance again with the support of a fan base who believes in you even through the tough times.
5150 UOAD
March 12th, 2011
11:54 pm
#100 i am winning.